Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ

There's nothing more intriguing to me than a combination wine bar and barbeque joint (and no two things I like more!), so, we had to check out Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ in downtown Napa.

The place was packed, and they don't take reservations. However, we waited around and finally got a couple of seats at the bar.

We ordered the Smokin' BBQ Platter - pulled pork, brisket, ribs, coleslaw - and big enough for two or three people to share. There wasn't a bad item on the plate. The pork and brisket were both moist and wonderful, and the ribs incredibly meaty and tender - the meat fell right off the bone.

It was also served with a variety of sauces, so you could add as much or as little as you liked. I loved the spicy, while my dining partner enjoyed the sweet.

After a day of drinking wine, Bounty Hunter was a wonderful indulgence and funky atmosphere.

Corks and More

After a day of touring wineries around Seneca Lake, there was nothing more we wanted to do than to sit down and enjoy a few dishes at the local wine bar. We stopped into Corks and More, a bit hidden and right on the water in Ithaca, for a light dinner and a few glasses of wine.

The concept was a lot of fun. Diners purchase a reloadable card and use that card to pay for their wine in the machines. Wine is dispensed in a 1 oz., 3 oz. or 5 oz. option, a good way to try a variety of wines without over drinking. Wines varied from sweet to dry and local to South American and Australian.

They also have a full service kitchen with full meals, soups, and tapas. We decided to try a few of the crostinis, which are perfect two-bite creations. We tried the Pan fried prosciutto with mozzarella and basil, brie with apples and onions, Pesto Chicken with Fontina Cheese, and the Sausage and Pumpkin Butter with Sharp Cheddar Cheese. The brie with apples and the sausage and pumpkin butter were, by far, our favorites.

The pre-loaded card for the wine dispensers was also able to be used for food, making it a very convenient way to pay for out of towners.

There is also a full service bar, as well.

Stompin' Good Times - Wine Tour

We arranged a privately chauffeured wine tour with Stompin' Good Times through the Bed & Breakfast we were staying at in Dundee.  The driver arrived promptly at the agreed upon time in a Ford Flex, which was comfortable. Our driver was quiet for the majority of our trip and didn't really engage us in conversation, but this also allowed us to converse with each other as a couple.

There were snacks and bottled water provided as well.  The driver was willing to take use to anywhere on Seneca Lake within our 5 hour period and it allowed us to greatly enjoy tasting at 8 different wineries, plus lunch, during this time without needing to worry about getting behind the wheel of our car while inebriated.

Despite being a bit pricey, we definitely recommend using a service such as this when exploring the Finger Lakes

Newport Winery

This might be the best deal in town. Tours of the Newport Winery are held at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for approximately $10 per person, which included the tour, some history about the family who own the vineyards, as well as 5 glasses of wine.

Our two favorite white wines were the Newport Riesling and the Great White. We tried a few of the reds and enjoyed the Blaufrankish and asked the wine-tender for the sweetest red they have, which was also delicious.

Come early and enjoy your wine before your tour, rather than trying to vie for the wine-tenders attention with the rest of the touring crowd. We recommend at least 30 minutes, a little longer if you're more indecisive or like to enjoy the wines.

Antica Bottega del Vino

I had searched for recommendations for restaurants while we were in Italy. The one that kept repeating, on New York Times, in Frommers, in DK Eyewitness books, Trip Advisor...everywhere was Antica Bottega del Vino in Verona.

And, apparently, I wasn't the only one who found out about this lovely restaurant, tucked just off the main drag in Verona. The first night we stopped by this restaurant for dinner, every table was full! The next two nights (Sunday and Monday) the restaurant was closed. When we did finally get to eat dinner here, we got here shortly after they opened, and still had to sit by the bar as all the tables were reserved for dinner. (They were telling people it was a 45 minute wait for a table!)

Sitting in the bar area wasn't a problem - we actually enjoyed it. Locals hang out here drinking wine and just talking. Also, you can watch the chef make appetizers and tapas, which I found fascinating.

We ordered the specials - pumpkin ravioli and noodles with duck sauce. Both were excellent and cooked perfectly. If you ask for the wine list, you're going to be handed a menu the size of a book! Order a local wine (clearly). We tried a wine from Soave (also the name of the wine) which was delicious.